2020 Topps National Baseball Card Day Cards - All the Dodgers'

A couple of weekends back was Topps annual National Baseball Card Day, and as you know free packs of an exclusive set were handed out to collectors at local card shops. The set consist of a 30-card base set and only one Dodger was included -- Cody Bellinger. There are also randomly inserted autographed cards, of which two are Dodgers'. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#14 Cody Bellinger

Blog Kiosk: 8/18/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - The Brothers Seager

As you surely know by now, the Seagers -- Corey and Kyle -- played against each other for the first time in their career last night. Better yet, they both homered in the game -- becoming the first brothers to do so for opposing teams in the same game since 2001. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“It was hard almost to stay focused with him out there, you want to go talk to him,” said Corey. “And he’s a talker, he wanted me to go over there. You try to be in the moment as much as possible. You’re still trying to win a game. But when you got around him, it was hard to not see your brother in the opponent. Really enjoyed it, one of those things we’ll remember for a long time.”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959 former Dodger GM Branch Rickey is named President of the newly formed Continental League. The new third Major League never plays a game, though. Instead, it became a catalyst for the addition of eight more teams to the American and National Leagues over the next decade. In 1977 Dodger Hall of Famer Don Sutton threw his fifth career one-hitter. It was against the hated Giants at Dodger Stadium, 7-0 (boxscore). Sutton recorded seven strikeouts and issued four walks -- on the way to his 11th victory of the season. BTW, he had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning. In 1995 the Dodgers traded for Brett Butler. This would be his second stint with the team.
• Happy Birthday, Burleigh Grimes, William Marriott, Jim Peterson, Bob Kennedy, Paul Popovich, Don Crow & Yimi Garcia! 

2020 Topps Now - Keibert's Debut and Negro Leagues Anniversary - #114 & #116

Is Keibert Ruiz the future at catcher for the Dodgers?

Only time will tell, but for the moment he is the cat's meow. Yesterday afternoon he collecting his first career hit by whacking a solo home run in his first career at-bat. Hilariously, his teammates decided to have a little fun with him afterwards. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Dugout ribbing about how “baseball's easy” could barely wait until Ruiz finished his first home run trot.

Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

We are in the midst of experiencing a Dodgers' catching renaissance. First, we saw Will Smith wow the fans. Now, it's Keibert Ruiz's turn. In his first career at-bat yesterday afternoon he smashed a home run. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It was very exciting,” Ruiz said after the Dodgers’ 8–3 win that swept the series in Anaheim. “First time being in the big leagues, I just was focused on getting a fastball and making contact. Happy to be here with all these guys and keep learning.”

You can also watch him speak with the press after the game, via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers and Cubs played a 17 inning game that was temporarily halted at a tie, 1-1, because of darkness (this was before Wrigley Field had lights). The next day they begin where they left off. The Dodgers would eventually win on a sacrifice fly by Dusty Baker in the 21st inning. In 1992 Dodgers hurler Kevin Gross no-hit the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. Watch the last out of the game, as called by Vin Scully, here. Per a NY Times article:

"The later it got, the more the adrenaline started pumping," Gross said. "It was just a blur when that last out was made."

• Happy Birthday, George Harper, Doug McWeeny, Joe Bradshaw, Boog Powell, Brad Wellman, Jeff Fischer & Kyle Farmer!

Topps Project 2020 - Sandy Koufax by Sophia Chang - #204

The newest Sandy Koufax Topps Project 2020 card was created by Queens artist Sophia Chang. Per Nick Diunte at Forbes:

“Working on these cards, you're really seeing a piece of American culture,” she said.

BTW, you can watch Sophia chat with fellow Project 2020 artist Blake Jamieson on YouTube here.

2020 Topps Now -- Mookie Betts Ties MLB Record - #102

You knew this card was coming.

Featured here is Mookie's 2020 Topps Now card celebrating his record tying feat last night. As you know, he hit three crushing home runs against the burgeoning Padres to tie a Major League record for three-homer games in a career at six (6) -- joining Johnny Mize and Sammy Sosa. With it still being so early in his career, Betts will no doubt break this record soon. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“Of course. I’m human,” said Betts. “But I work so hard, man, I work so hard to be successful. To see success, it’s a sigh of relief. But I’m hungry to be successful and I have that in my back pocket. I have to learn new pitchers, that will be the hardest part, but I’ll work my butt off to be the best I can be.”